Amusement device



June 23, 1931. M E 1,811,092

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Feb. 27, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 23, 19151 N. MYRE 1,811,092

I AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Feb. -27, 1930 2 Shegts-Sheet 2 llll 1 j///////// Patented June 23, 1931 .v I UNITED STATES NATHAN MYRE', or *ronnno, onro AMUSEMENT-DEVICE Application filed. February 27. 1930. Serial No. 431,915. g 7

the tar ets '6 with a ball or thelike, the

This invention relates to amusement devices, but more particularly tosuch device commonly known as the African dip, which utilizes a platform on which a person l is seated, and beneath is a receptacle of water; targets are so connected or associated with the platform that if the target is properly hit the platform. is released and the person precipitated into the water.

. An object of this invention is to improve previous constructions to render them more efiicient in every way.

Another .object is to produce a device of the above character in which the platform 16 is automatically returned to normal position after theweight has been discharged therefrom.

A further object is to produce a new and improved target construction, which is sim- 20 ple in arrangement, and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear, and the invention is shown by way of illustration on the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the amusement device;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation of the target;

Fig. 3 is a rear end view of the target with a portion of the rear wall broken away;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional elevation of the platform in associated parts; and

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional elevation *8 on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a standard 1, which supports a box 2, to one side of which is fulcrumed a platform 3. The platform 3 is fulcrumed 4 intermediate its ends as at 4, and one end portion of the platform projects beyond the adjacent side of the box 2 substantially as shown. Beneath the outer or projecting end of the platform 3 is a tub 5 adapted to contain water, and is arranged in such position that upon release of the platform '3 a person seated on the projecting end thereof will be discharged or precipitated into the tub. This action will take place when a successful contestant properly hits one of .rear end of which is covered bythe swingtargets eing so connected with the platform 3 that when hit the platform is released and over-balanced by the weight of the person seated thereon. Details of. the. construction and arrangement follow. 7

Pivoted to the rear end portion of the platform 3 at 7 is a depending arm or rod 8, having a notched recess 9. Engageable with the notch 9 is an inverted U-shape. catch PATENT orifice] member 10, which is supported by bearing blocks 11 on the floor of the box 2. An arm 11 extends from the catch 10, and a rod 12 connects the arm 11 to a bell crank lever 13 pivoted to a side wall of the box.

Through a pin and slot connection the bell crank lever 13 is connected by a vertically disposed shaft 14 with an electro-magnetic device .15. The arrangement is .such that when the electro-magnetic device 15 'is-energized the catch. 11 is actuated in a counter clockwise direction (Fig. 4) .to'release the rod8 so that the weight of the person on the projecting end portion of the platform 3 is sufiicient to cause tilting of the platform,

and cause the'person to bediscliarged there- After a personhas been precipitated from the platform the weight of the innerfend portion issufiicient to returnf the, parts to normal position so. thatv the platform'is in upon the catch l Q'is returned into notch engaging position to retain the platform inthe desired position until further operation of theelectro-magnetic device'15. The electromagnetic device 15 is. connected by leads 16 to the targets 6,-which comprise" a' frame substantially, horizontal i relation. Theremember having a central opening 17 the ing target member 18. The target member is pivoted adjacent its upper end at 19, and

is normally, held in substantially vertical position by coil spring-.20. 1 One of the leads 16 connects toa stationary curved plate member 21 carried by the casing, and over which a roller 22 is adapted to ride when the target is hit and caused to move in a clockwise directionfFig. 2), The roller 22 is carried by a rod 23, which is in turn connected to the other lead 16. It is evident that upon engagement of the roller 22 with the intake plate 21 the circuit is closed, energizing the electro-magnetic device 15, and causing the operation heretofore described.

Access to the interior of the target mecha nism is afforded by a door 24: hingedly connected to the rear of the target frame.

WVhile it is to be understood that the above illustration is of the preferred form of my invention, numerous changes may be made in details of construction, arrangement and operation without departing from the spirit of the invention, especially as defined in the appended claims.

WVhat I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an amusement device, a platform fulcrumed intermediate its ends, and adapted to receive a weight at one end thereof, a member pivoted to and depending from the opposite end portion of said platform, said opposite end and said member being of greater weight than said weight receiving end, a trip member engageable with said pivoted member adapted normally to prevent said platform from swinging when a weight is imposed on the end thereof remote from said pivoted member, and means for releasing said trip member to permit swinging of said platform whereby upon discharge of the weight the platform returns to normal position due to the greater weight on the1 end away from said weight-receiving enc.

2. In an amusement device, a platform fulcrumed between its ends and adapted to accommodate a weight such as a person at one end, a depending member pivoted to the op osite end of said platform, said member being notched, a release member engaging said notch for preventing swinging of said platform when a weight is imposed thereon, and electro-magnet-ic means for actuating. said release member to permit tilting of said platform, thereby to discharge the weight, said platform being unbalanced to return automatically to normal position. i

3. In an amusement device, a 'platfor fulcrumed bet-ween its ends and adapted to accommodate a weight such as a person at one end, a depending member pivoted to the opposite end of said platform, said member being notched, a U-shaped release member engaging said notch for preventing swinging of said platform when a weight is imposed thereon, and electro-magnetic means for actuating said release member to cause tilting of said platform, thereby to discharge the weight, said platform being unbalanced to return automatically to normal position.

4. In an amusement device, a platform fulcrumed between its ends and adapted to accommodate a weight such as a person at opposite end of said platform, said member being notched, a release member engaging said notch for preventing swinging of said platform when a weight is imposed thereon, electro-magnetic means for actuating said release member to cause tilting of said platform, thereby to discharge the weight, said platform being unbalanced to return automatically to normal position, a swingable target, and an electrical connection between said target and'said electro-magnetic means, said connection including a curved cont-act plate and a member carried by said target and engageable with said plate.

5. In an amusement device, a swingable platform adapted to receive a weight at one end, a depending member at the opposite end, a catch normally holding said depending member to prevent tilt-ing and discharge of the weight, an electrical device for releasing said catch, said device including a swingable target having a contact member and a stationary curved plate normally away from said contact member whereby swinging of said target moves said member to said plate,

thereby to cause release of said platform, said platform being constructed and arranged automatically to return to normal position after dischargeof the weight.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification.

N ATHAN MYRE.

one end, a depending member pivoted to the r 

